How Much Does Therapy Cost?

Frequently asked questions

Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.

Is therapy expensive?

The price of a therapist can vary based on:

• How often you'd like to meet with your therapist

• Your health care insurance company and what is covered

• Your location and the location of your therapist

• Individual preferences (therapy rates can be higher for more specialized therapists)

Online therapy services in the mental health industry have platforms like BetterHelp that can be $65 to $90 per week (pricing dependent on location, billed every four weeks). This can make paying for therapy more affordable.

In comparison, in-person treatment can be an average of $100 to $200 per session and may involve sliding scale fees. Your location could also play a role. Living in Los Angeles or New York could impact the affordability of your session, as the cost of living in these cities is often higher. 

With insurance, your payment for in-person counseling may be less than without. You might have co-pays or not have to expect to pay anything at all. However, many health insurance companies and their plans offer fewer support options and may require seeing a specific therapist selected for you. A free therapist might be an option under your insurance.

The following are questions you might have relating to online counseling:

• How much is online therapy compared to in-person treatment? Due to reductions in overhead expenses, such as rent for an office space, online treatment rates often may be less expensive than in-person therapy. 

• What does BetterHelp cost? Costs with an online platform like BetterHelp are $65 to $90 per week (billed every four weeks) but the rate may be higher based on individual preferences, location, and therapy availability.

What is a therapy session? Can I afford it?

A therapy session is a safe space where a client meets with a therapist or counselor to resolve unwanted behaviors, work through adverse experiences, understand relationship conflicts, and manage one's emotions, feelings, and beliefs. In a session with a therapist, you might work through symptoms causing difficulties in your life through a specific therapeutic modality. Depending on your insurance coverage, it can help bring down the average cost of a therapist. Not all therapists accept insurance but they may offer a sliding scale payment plan. 

What are some types of therapy?

1. Talk therapy refers to psychotherapy sessions offered by a licensed counselor, clinical social worker, or therapist. It can involve talking to a therapist in an individual, group, or couples setting about life challenges, mental health, and personal growth. A few forms of talk counseling include the following:

• Cognitive-behavioral (CBT)

• Dialectical behavior (DBT)

• Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

• Person-centered

• Psychodynamic

2. Sex therapy is a type of psychotherapy focused on addressing sexual challenges, whether personally or within a relationship. The rate per session of in-person sex therapists can range between $75 to $200. Online sex therapy can be more affordable, costing from $50 to $ 90 every session. Common topics discussed with a sex therapist can include:

• Sexual dysfunction

• Sexual desire

• Reigniting sexual attraction in a relationship

• Sexuality and identity

• Traumatic experiences

• Body positivity (affects of social media) and confidence

3. Art therapy is an alternative therapeutic modality focused on helping clients achieve treatment goals through creating art, learning the creative process, and applying psychological theory. Depending on the therapists, a one-on-one sessions can range between $100 to $200. The benefits may include:

• Art therapy can reduce stress

• Art therapy can increase ability to cope with challenges that many have difficulty putting into words

• This therapy can improve confidence and self-esteem

• There tends to be a release of challenging emotions during the session

• This can result to a deeper understanding of one’s thoughts

• This can serve as a visual representation of one’s challenges

4. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often referred to as the “gold standard” of psychotherapy. For example, if you are experiencing mental illness (like depression and anxiety), this therapeutic modality combines cognitive techniques like cognitive restructuring with behavioral therapy to change maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Standard techniques in CBT include:

• Exposure and desensitization

• Progressive muscle relaxation

• Deep breathing exercises

• Mindfulness and meditation

• Roleplaying

• Activities and worksheets

• Imagery and visualization

What costs can insurance cover?

The price of a therapist using insurance can depend on your:

• Insurance provider policy and if your therapist accepts it

• Deductibles

• Therapist rates

• The years of experience a mental health provider has

• Location

Below are a few of some psychotherapy codes that your psychologist or therapist might use when dealing with insurance in the US. Contact your insurance provider to further understand CPT codes and what kinds of therapeutic services are covered.

Does free counseling exist?

Therapy is a professional service offered by therapists who have spent years receiving education and clinical supervision to provide clients with ethical, empathetic, and relevant care. Because of therapists' education and experience, their rates can range from $100 to $200 on average for a single session. However, low-cost options, crisis support, and temporary volunteer therapists may be available to those who cannot afford this cost. The variety of therapist services can depend on what the therapists choose to offer.

Many therapists may provide sliding scale rates to accommodate clients with varying financial situations. Some therapists offer free or low-cost services to make their services accessible to all. By reaching out to local clinics or mental health centers, you may be able to access free or low-cost therapist options. You can call 211 to receive up-to-date recommendations on these resources. If you’re in crisis, you can call or text the 988 Lifeline anytime for free short-term crisis peer support. For long-term support, consider looking into sliding scale therapists, online therapists, support groups, or local low-cost clinics.

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